Australia rule Trott taunts off-limits
Australia coach Darren Lehmann warns players not to use England’s Jonathon Trott as sledging ammunition in Ashes clash.
Australia will not use England batsman Jonathan Trott’s stress-related withdrawal from the Ashes tour as sledging ammunition during the second Test, Australia coach Darren Lehmann has pledged.
Lehmann stopped short on Saturday of condemning opening batsman David Warner, who labelled Trott’s performance as “weak” during the first Test, prompting debate about the no-go zones of the intense rivalry between the two teams.
“We didn’t know what was going on with Jonathan Trott,” Lehmann said, ahead of the start of the Test at Adelaide Oval on Thursday.
“And that certainly won’t be talked about in this test match at all. We wish him all the best in his recovery.”
Lehmann said he had counselled Warner, who retrospectively acknowledged he overstepped the line by questioning Trott’s approach and performance.
Warner said the wished the South African-born player a full and speedy recovery.
We have got to play well, back that up and show we're the side we want to become not just one-hit wonders.
“We didn’t know anything about the illness or whatnot,” Warner told Australia’s Fairfax Media.
“It’s sad to see anyone go through that tough period and if he’s got an illness that’s there we hope he gets the right people to help him out.
“We know the world-class kind of batter he is. He averages 50 in test cricekt and he has been a great player, a rock for England.”
The taunting and sledging during Australia’s first-test win in Brisbane reached such levels of spite that England coach Andy Flower suggested a meeting between the teams to agree limits on future verbal exchanges, but Lehmann rejected that as unnecessary.
Meanwhile, Lehmann dismissed suggestions that fast bowler Ryan Harris would be rested for the second test and said Australia’s former rotation policy with its pacemen was at an end.
“If he is fit to play he will play,” Lehmann said. “We don’t rotate, mate. If you’re fit you play. The best 11 will play for Australia each and every game.”
Lehmann was not about to believe Australia can expect to regain the Ashes on the strength of a single win.
“It’s just one Test match,” he said. “We have got to play well, back that up and show we’re the side we want to become not just one-hit wonders.”